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Although shedding is normal for almost all dog types, excessive
hair loss could be a sign of some other underlying condition. In
this piece, we look at why dogs shed their fur, what constitutes
normal shedding, and the signs of a bigger problem.
Reasons for shedding
The fur of your dog helps him to control the body temperature and
also protects his skin against the environmental elements and the
sun. When his hair stops to grow, he will lose it naturally by
shedding. The frequency and amount depends on a number of
factors, like the health condition of the dog, the breed, the
environment and the season.
How much is normal?
A lot of the double coated breeds tend to shed the undercoat
during the fall and spring. This applies more or less to the
normal breeds as well. Some of the breeds that shed their hair
heavily include the Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, German
Shepherd and the Beagle. In certain cases the shedding might seem
excessive to you, but chances are that itโs something completely
normal for the dog. However, excessive shedding could also be due
to an underlying health condition.
Abnormal causes
If there is a big change in the environment, dogs can start
shedding more hair than they usually do. If your dog is shedding
more hair due to anxiety or stress, then he might benefit from
your care and comfort. Consult with the vet to see if supplements
or medication would help with the situation.Some skin disorders
lead to bald patches and hair loss. For instance, a parasitic
infestation (lice, flea or mites) can lead to excessive hair
loss. Dermatitis, ringworm and some fungal infections, cancers
and immune diseases can also cause hair loss. If you notice some
kind of skin irritation, scab, bump or a rash in addition to all
the hair loss, take him to the vet immediately.Allergies and
hormonal changes are another major cause of excessive shedding.
Certain medications, foods, grooming supplies and household
cleaners can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.
How can you manage it?
While it is not possible to prevent a healthy dog from shedding
his fur at the normal rate, you can ask the veterinarian or
groomer for product recommendations that are suited to the
fur-type of your dog. With the right product, you can reduce the
amount of loose hair in and around your home. If there is an
increase in the frequency at which your dog sheds hair, then
there is a possibility that he suffers from some underlying
condition. If you are worried that your dog is experiencing
excessive hair loss due to stress, a pest infestation, or a
hormonal imbalance (like Cushingโs disease), work with the vet to
pinpoint the underlying cause and treat it appropriately.
How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell from Your Dogโs Coat?
So your curious little canine friend went exploring and got
sprayed on by a skunk. This kind of thing happens when you have a
curious dog. Luckily, thereโs there are a quite a few solutions
out there to help you deal with this scenario. However, you must
act fast.Here are a few tips to help you out.
Wipe
The first thing you need to do before trying anything else is to
wipe your dog. While wiping, make sure you locate the exact spot
where the skunk has sprayed him/her. Skunk spray contains
compounds that are known as thiols. These are sulphur based
chemicals, which can definitely cause problems.While wiping, make
sure you use gloves to avoid getting that nasty stuff onto
yourself. Keep wiping and youโll eventually find the spot where
your dog has been sprayed. Usually, this would be the neck or the
shoulders. Now, wipe off as much as possible.
Use Skunk Odor Remover
To get rid of the smell, you will require a skunk odor removing
solution. Make sure you have everything available right away. You
canโt waste time running to get things as and when you need them.
One effective solution is to mix 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide
(3%) with 1 or 2 teaspoons of dish soap and half a cup of baking
soda. You can also use vinegar instead of hydrogen peroxide to
avoid the bleaching effect.Make sure the solution is stored in an
open container as the mixing results in pressure. A closed
container can explode because of this.Once you have the solution
ready, wash your dog with warm water, wipe her/him dry and then,
rub the solution onto his/her coat. First, target the areas where
he/she has been sprayed. Make sure nothing gets into your dogโs
eyes, nose, or ears.Let the solution soak for about 15 minutes.
Then, rinse and repeat.You can try something similar using tomato
juice as well. Tomato juice is known to be quite effective at
eliminating skunk spray odor.
Use Shampoo
Once youโre done with the solution part, give your dog a final
wash using shampoo. Things are likely to look much better from
here on. Once youโre done giving him/her a proper bath, dry the
coat and place the dog in sunny location for more drying.
Visiting the Vet
Generally, you can handle such a situation on your own. However,
if your dog has been sprayed in the eyes or face, you will need
to visit the vet. The spray can affect the eyes in a bad way.
Also, look for signs of lethargy, vomiting, and foaming at the
mouth. If you do spot such symptoms, rush your dog to the vet
right away.
